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Re: What's working for your affiliate? Or not?

I appreciate it when I'm asked. We don't want our program recorded.

And in another side, I wish photographers would ask if the speaker minds if people record or shoot pictures of the slides. I find it VERY distracting with cameras popping up and down like prairie dogs.

I realize it's for learning purposes... but shouldn't it be common courtesy to at least ask first?

Re: What's working for your affiliate? Or not?

But it's so funny when the audience photographs the slides with the flash!

Michael Gan,M.Photog.Cr. CPP,Meritage House of Photography

If your business depends on you, you don't own a business-you have a job. And it's the worst job in the world because you're working for a lunatic... You can't close it when you want to, because if it's closed you don't get paid. You can't leave it when you want to, because if you leave there's nobody there to do the work. You can't sell it when you want to, because who wants to buy a job?—Michael Gerber

Re: What's working for your affiliate? Or not?

I was at a Dean Collins seminar in early 1980s when a guy did that. I think Dean said, "f8".

There was another story about a guy who was photographing one of Deans Finelight booklets, instead of buying one. Dean came over and helped hold it for him. As he was about to shoot, Dean said, "Can I explain to you copyright law?"

Re: What's working for your affiliate? Or not?

I totally agree Fuzzy. It is amazing that the same photographers that complain about their images being 'stolen' have the gall to photograph copyrighted material and slides from speakers, in plain view of everyone.

Re: What's working for your affiliate? Or not?

One dinosaur that is starting to go away is the Awards Banquet. California did away with it back in 2005. PPA got rid of it too - with two awards ceremony, one followed by a big party.

When California eliminated the banquet, this gave them the ability to do away with the costly, dreaded "Hotel Costs". They took their awards party on the road (just across the street from their convention center) and occupied a Jazz club. There, they were able to but out a ton of food from Subway and Costco, made it more casual. To retain the audience, they conducted the awards midway before the food ran out (although they never ran out). So, instead of only 40-60 people attending, there would be about 200-250, which created more fun and excitement. After the awards, each of the Presidents had their own after party idea, one was a wedding shootout by two "celebrity wedding photographers", and on another year, a casino night.

Because the costs were cut (they paid $1000 to use the venue for the night, and the Jazz club had the bar receipts), the food costs were minimal and thus the food was free.

Free food draws a crowd

Michael Gan,M.Photog.Cr. CPP,Meritage House of Photography

If your business depends on you, you don't own a business-you have a job. And it's the worst job in the world because you're working for a lunatic... You can't close it when you want to, because if it's closed you don't get paid. You can't leave it when you want to, because if you leave there's nobody there to do the work. You can't sell it when you want to, because who wants to buy a job?—Michael Gerber

Re: What's working for your affiliate? Or not?

That sounds like a great idea. Fortunately for us, we have not had the 'stuffy' awards night ceremony for a long time. We incorporate the awards ceremony with our primary lunch during the convention so everyone is already in attendance, and we are fortunate to have Kay Eskridge and Tom Cheswick (we call them the Kay and Tom show) provide entertainment as MC's for the event. They could charge just for the entertainment factor alone The lunch is a 2 hour event, and has worked well for us. A quick annual membership meeting takes place just afterwards, and then on to the next speaker.

Re: What's working for your affiliate? Or not?

we are fortunate to have Kay Eskridge and Tom Cheswick (we call them the Kay and Tom show) provide entertainment as MC's for the event. They could charge just for the entertainment factor alone

In my opinion this is a key factor for success. I completely understand that the main function of conferences is education but if you overlook the entertainment portion then the education becomes more of a chore. I'm amazed that no one has considered a comedy act. Photography can be a funny business and laughter is truly good for the soul. There are speakers out there that use comedy in their presentations but I think it would be great to sit through a presentation that was there simply to entertain.